Definitions

happen

[hap-uhn] / ˈhæp ən /

VERB

come to pass; occur

Synonyms

STRONGEST

appear arise arrive crop up develop fall go on hit materialize meet pass result take effect take place transpire

STRONG

befall betide bump chance down ensue eventuate follow issue light proceed recur shake smoke spring stumble supervene

WEAK

be found become a fact become known become of come about come after come into being come into existence come off luck present itself stumble upon turn out turn up what goes

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cease disappear fail halt lose stop

STRONG

precede

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“We really wanted this album to come out a year ago, but things happened for a reason.”

From Los Angeles Times

It was almost a year, Sundus said, before she knew what had happened to her.

From BBC

"We don't know for sure," he adds, "but there's a lot of kinetic things happening in that area at the moment".

From BBC

As it happened, Rodgers himself would be among the major beneficiaries of that effort.

From The Wall Street Journal

Williams noted Monday that so far, there is no sign that is happening.

From The Wall Street Journal